Farming for health : green-care farming across Europe and the United States of America

Summary

The utilization of agricultural farms as a base for promoting human mental and physical health and social well-being is a new promising development. On farms, the animals, the plants, the garden, the forest and the landscape are used in recreational or work-related activities for psychiatric patients, people with learning disabilities, people with a drug history, problem youth, burnt-out and elderly people and social-service clients. If not pure therapy, such activities may have therapeutic value according to extensive experience. The numbers of such multifunctional farms offering Green Care services is increasing rapidly in many countries. The positive experiences seem to be similar in different countries: working on the farm contributes to self-esteem, social skills, rehabilitation, inclusion, responsibility, physical health and sense of purpose. Important recognized qualities of Green Care farms are the space, quietness, useful work, diverse activities, caring activities, the working with plants and animals, and the protective and caring environment of the farmers’ family and social community. Social farming appears as an evolving, dynamic scenario, which is gaining increasing attention from multiple stakeholders. The first part of this book contains scientific papers dealing with different aspects of Farming for Health. The second part describes the situation in different countries.